Prototype for gauging the contour of an opening for use as a guide in cutting a closure therefor



y 20, 1954 L. BERNITZ 2,684,090

PROTOTYPE FOR GAUGING THE CONTOUR OF AN OPENING FOR USE AS A GUIDE INCUTTING A CLOSURE THEREFOR Filed May 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l I NVENTORATTORNEY y 1954 BERNITZ 2,684,090

' PROTOTYPE FOR GAUGING THE CONTOUR OF AN OPENING FOR USE AS A GUIDE INCUTTING A CLOSURE THEREFOR Filed May 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR(9 AQfWAV/Z ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PROTOTYPE FOR,GAUGHNG THE CONTOUR OF AN OEPENING FOR USE AS A GUIDE IN CUTTING ACLOSURE THEREFOR 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a prototype for gaging the contour ofan opening for use as a guide in cutting a closure therefor.

One object of the present invention is to provide, in a device of thecharacter described, improved means which permit the adjusting of thepattern device or prototype to the size of an opening to be closed andsubsequently cutting the closure to fit said opening from the form thusprovided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of theabove stated character equipped with cutting means which will providethe desired bevel on the door or other object being cut for an opening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which canbe more quickly and accurately adjusted for measuring and subsequentlycutting a door or other object so that it may be more quickly andaccurately fitted to, and hung within a frame or opening.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character described affording means whereby the door or other objectmay be fitted, cut and hung with exacting accuracy within its openingwith a considerable saving of time and by a single workman without theaid of an assistant.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character described which can be so adjusted as to provide thenecessary clearance for the door or other object which is to be fittedand hung.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe character described which is more efiicient in operation and yetsimple in construction and economical to manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view as will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specificallyset forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings which form apart of this application for Letters Patent.

In the accompanying drawings are illustrated preferred and practicalembodiments of. the invention, it being understood, however, that thedrawings are merely illustrative and that the inventive concept issusceptible of other embodiments and utilizations, and that theillustrated embodiments likewise are susceptible of a wide range ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation illustrating the device of the presentinvention as used in connection with a framed-in-door opening;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device per se;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical section through one of the adjustingunits located at the midwidth of the device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in elevation of one of the adjustingmeans for the top rail structure;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional detail on line 5-5 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the prototype with the cuttingdevice in its operative position;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 6 with theprototype omitted;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and first adverting to Figs. 1to 5 inclusive, the reference numeral I has been used to generallydesignate the frame of this new and improved measuring or fitting deviceembodying the present invention. This invention has been described inconjunction with the fitting, measuring, cutting and hanging of doors indoor frames or lambs, and it is to be understood that this has been donein order to facilitate the description of the present invention, and hasbeen done by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Themeasuring or fitting device of the present invention may be made fromany desired material, such as, for example, wood, metal, plastic, hardrubber or any other suitable material and it may be made so that it maybe adjusted to any desired shape or size so as to be fitted within avariety of different sized openings. This measuring or fitting devicehas at each side an outwardly and inwardly adjustable side bar structurecomprising an inner bar 5 and an outer bar ii; and a verticallyadjustable top rail structure 9, suitably secured to the frame I asshown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be readily seen andunderstood from this arrangement that the movable side and top structuremay be changed into a variety of sizes and shapes so as to fit amultiplicity and variety of openings varying in contour.

In order to take care of various irregularities of contour in theborders of the openings to be gaged, the adjustable side bars 5 and zfiat each side of the device are spaced apart from each other by thespacing means 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The bar members and 6 maybe connected together by suitable threaded means I6 passing through andsecured to a nut I as is shown most clearly in Fig. 5. This arrangementpermits the outside bar 6 to be moved the necessary distance away fromthe inside bar 5 by flexing it so as to fit any irregularities in thedoor frame H, or to fit an opening bordered by warped timbers. Theinside bar members 5 are adjustably connected to the frame member 1 byany suitable means, such as, for example, the threaded rod members 4which may pass into correspondingly threaded tube members 3, the saidthreaded tube members 3 being suitably secured to a post 2 and the sidesof the frame I by any suitable securing means, as is shown most clearlyin Figs. 1 and 3. This arrangement provides for lateral movement of thebars 5 and 6 toward or away from the frame I as may be necessary inorder to fit the opening in which the door is to be hung. The threeposts 2 carried by the midwidth portion of the frame are all directedlengthwise of said frame, and therefore, do not project objectionablyfrom its face. Each screwthreaded rod 4 has one of its end portionspassing loosely through a smooth bore for it in a said post, while theopposite outer end portion of the bar is no'n-turnably secured to theadjacent rail 5 and spacer 8. As already alluded to, each of said rods 4is in a screwthreaded relation to an aforesaid sleeve 3 which surroundsit, the outer end of said sleeve loosely abutting a side of the adjacentpost; ie'nce the workman, by rotating said sleeves can adjust said rodsas desired and thereby adjust bodily the pair of bars 5 and ii, at thesides of the frame. In Fig. 2 the ends of pairs of bolts appear in therail 5. In the assembled structure, at each side of the frame each saidpair of bolts extends into the underlying spacer 8, thus securing saidspacers to said bars.

The top member or rail 9 is fitted over a carrymg member if}, as isshown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 4. The member it which carries the toprail 9 is m'ovably secured to the frame I by any suitable means, suchas, for example, the threaded rod II which passes through acorrespondingly threaded nut I2, down through the frame I where itterminates in a second threaded nut I5. If desired, a suitable springmember I3 placed between the frame projection I and the washer M on thenut I5, may provide suitable loading to maintain the top rail 9 in thecorrect measuring position, as is shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 4.The provision of a pair of these adjustments, one on each end of thecarrying member I 0, affords means for adjusting to any opening, even ifthe opening is irregular or slanting. The provision of a removable toprail 9 carried by the carrying member ID provides means for easily andquickly changing the size or shape of the top rail 9, as desired, inorder that a wide variety of shapes and sizes of openings may bemeasured.

The operation of the new and improved measuring or fitting device of thepresent invention is quite simple. The frame member I is first placed inthe opening to be measured or fitted, between the door framing membersIT as is shown most clearly in Fig. 1. The side bars 5 and t are thenmoved outwardly by means of the screw adjusting means 2, 3 and 4 untilthe outer bar 6 touches the sides I! of the opening to be measured orfitted. Considerable crookedness or warping in the timbers I! may thenbe gaged by means of the adjusting means I and I6 located between theside bars 5 and 6, so that an absolutely accurate fit may be obtained.This gaging operation is effected by turning the nut I, together withthe reversely screwthreaded end portions of the rod It so that thelatter will bow the resilient bar 5 to conform to the warped surface itengages or conforms to. By the aforesaid adjusting means both a simpleand compound outward bowing of the side portions of the prototype can beeffected. The top rail 9 is then moved upwardly to fit against the topof the opening in the frame H, by means of the adjusting means II, I2,I3, I4 and I5, as already described. Any irregularities, warping orcrookedness in the top timber I? of the door framing may be adjusted forby means of the adjusting means II, I2, I3, I4 and I5 so that anabsolutely accurate fit may be obtained. When the proper adjustmentshave been made the frame I and its accompanying parts may be removedfrom the opening and an absolutely accurate pattern for the door whichis to be hung is thus obtained.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the cutting means designed to be used inconjunction with the measuring or fitting means previously described.The cutting means has been generally designated by the reference numeral23 and comprises essentially a driving means or motor I9 adjustablysecured to a motor mount member 29, the motor mount member 28 beingcarried by a suitable flat plate member 2| to which the said motor mountmember 20 is either suitably secured, or is made an integral partthereof, as desired. A suitable rotary cutter 23, is secured to thelower end of the downwardly extending shaft 22 of the motor I9 by anysuitable means, such as, for example, the lock nut 24. If desired, asuitable guard means 25 may be secured to the bottom of the plate member2| by the screw bolts I8, around the cutter 23, so as to protect theuser from being accidentally out while using the invention. A suitableadjustable guide member 26 is carried on the bottom of the plate member2! to provide means for regulating the depth of out. The motor I9 may bepivotally secured to the motor mount 26 by any suitable means, such as,for example, the bracket member 29 which may be securely affixed to themotor I9 by means of the bolts 28, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 6.The lower end of the bracket 29 may be pivotally secured to the motormount 2!! by any suitable means, such as, for example, the pivot pin 21.Adjusting means, such as the adjustable screw bolt 3!) at the top of thebracket member 29 provides for producing a bevel cut on the mate rial bymoving the motor shaft 22 away from th vertical, thus aiding inproducing a bevel cut on the door which is to be hung, so that it mayaccurately fit the door opening.

The operation of the cutting device with the fitting or measuring deviceis relatively simple. After the door opening has been accurately gagedby the fitting or measuring device as previously described, the fittingor measuring device is placed over the door which is to be hung. Thecutting tool is then brought up to the work and placed 'over the fittingor measuring device as is shown most clearly in Fig. 6. The cuttingguide member 26 is then adjusted for the proper depth of cut, and, ifnecessary, the motor 19 is tilted the proper amount by means of theadjustment screw 30, so as to provide-a beveled cut, and the guidemember 26 is then moved along the edges of the fitting or measuringdevice and the door is then cut to the proper size after which it isready to be hung and a perfect fit of the door or other object in theopening is thus obtained.

It will be observed that a rotary cutter is used in trimming the door,said cutter rotating about an axis which extends transversely of theplane in which the prototype lies, said cutter being adjustable to varythe inclination of its axis of rotation. Also from Figs. 6 and 8 it willbe seen that the plate 2%, which mediately carries the motor and cutter,is sufficiently long readily to be moved across the gaps at the cornersof the prototype. Also owing to all the fasteners, bolts and operableparts of the prototype being located between the planes defined by thesmooth outer side faces of the prototype, no obstacle is encountered bysaid plate when it is used in the manner already described; and therotating cutter causes no objectionable vibration.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred and practical embodiments of thesame, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for shaping and dimensioning a closure to ilt an opening,a substantially rectangular rigid frame comprising rightangularly joinedtop, bottom and side members, a rail carried by said top member andextending along the outer side thereof, adjustable means securing saidrail to said top member and operable to maintain said rail in avariously spaced distance from said top member to gage the length of anopening while said frame is contained therein, a bar extending outwardlyalong a said side member of said frame, means carried by said to adjustsaid bar outwardly and inwardly in relation to said frame to gage thewidth of an opening while said frame is contained therein, said frame,together with said adjusted bar and rail, being superimposable upon aclosure to guide a cutter, a flat plate movable along the upper face ofthe marginal portion of said frame, a guide member carried by said plateto travel along the edge portions of the sides and ends of said frame,and a rotating cutter mediately carried by said plate to trim saidclosure to fit an opning the size and contour of which has been gaged bythe device in the aforesaid manner.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 and said adjustable means whichattaches said rail to said top member comprising a projection carried byeach end portion of said top member of said frame, and a rotatablescrewthreaded rod carried by each of said projections and connected withthe end portion of said rail at its side of said frame.

3. In a device for shaping and dimensioning a closure to fit an opening,a substantially rectangular rigid frame comprising rightangularly joinedtop, bottom and side members, a rail structure carried by said topmember and extending along the outer side thereof, said rail structurecomprising an inner and an outer part, adjustable means attaching theinner part of said rail structure to said top member and operable tomaintain said rail structure in a variously spaced distance from saidtop member to gage the length of an opening while said frame iscontained therein, the outer part of said rail structure beingdetachable from the inner part thereof so that outer rails of differentlengths may be used in said rail structure, said frame, together withsaid rail structure, being superimposable upon a closure to guide acutter moved eXteriorly along the sides and ends of the device intrimming said closure to fit an opening the size and contour of whichhas been gaged by the device in the aforesaid manner.

4. In a device for shaping and dimensioning a closure to fit an opening,a substantially rigid frame dimensioned to be contained within theopening to be gaged with a clearance between a side portion of saidframe and an adjacent inner side portion of the structure containingsaid opening, a resilient bar structure occupying said space andcomprising two bars extending along side each other and alongside saidframe, means carried by said frame to adjust said bar structure as awhole outwardly and inwardly in relation to said frame, and means actingbetween said bars to bow parts of them outwardly from each other, thusto conform the outer bar to the contour of the adjacent part of thematerial bordering an opening being gaged by the device.

5. The subject matter of claim 4 and said bar bowing means consisting ofa rod having a turnable nut secured to it between said bars, said rodhaving at one side of said nut a right hand screwthreaded engagementwith one of said bars and at the opposite side of said nut a left handscrewthreaded engagement with the other of said bars.

6. A structure of the kind described comprising a generally rectangularprototype disposable within a door opening and having adjustablemarginal portions abuttable against the inner surface of said opening togage its size and shape, the marginal portion of the upper face of saidprototype presenting a flat, upwardly facing unobstructed surface whenthe prototype is placed upon a horizontally supported door to betrimmed, a plate, a motor mount member secured to said plate andupstanding rightangularly from one face thereof, a motor carried by saidmotor mount member, said motor comprising a drive shaft which extendsdown to a point below said prototype when the latter has been placedupon a door to be trimmed, a cutter of the rotary type carried by thelower end portion of said shaft and usable to trim the door as saidplate is moved along the marginal portion of said prototype, and guidemeans carried by said plate and projecting downwardly therefrom in aposition to be moved along the side and end edge of said prototype whilethe latter is overlying a door to be trimmed.

7. A structure of the kind described comprising a generally rectangularprototype disposable within a door opening and having adjustablemarginal portions abuttable against the inner surface of said opening togage its size and shape, the marginal portion of the upper face of saidprototype presenting a flat, upwardly facing unobstructed surface whenthe prototype is placed upon a horizontally supported door to betrimmed, a plate, a motor mount member secured to said plate andupstanding rightangularly from one face thereof, a motor spaced awayfrom said member and having a lower end portion pivotally connected withthe lower portion of said member to swing about an axis that extendsparallel to said plate, horizontally adjustable means connecting theupper part of said motor with the upper part of said member so as totilt said motor in relation to said member and plate, said motorcomprising a drive shaft which extends down to a point below saidprototype when the latter has been placed upon a door to be trimmed, acutter of the rotary type carried by the lower end portion of said shaftand usable to trim the door in a more or less beveled manner as saidplate is moved along the marginal portion of the prototype, and guidemeans carried by said plate and projecting downwardly therefrom in aposition to be moved along the side and end edge of the prototype whilethe latter is overlying a door to be trimmed.

8. In a device for shaping and dimensioning a closure to fit an opening,a substantially rigid elongated frame dimensioned to be contained withinthe opening to be gaged with a clearance between a side portion of saidframe and an adjacent inner side portion of the structure containingsaid opening, a bar structure extending longitudinally of the frame andoccupying said clearance, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apartposts carried by the midwidth portion of the frame, each of said postsextending length- Wise of the frame, a screw threaded rod asso ciatedwith each of said posts, each of said rods having an inner end portionprojecting loosely through the post with which it is associated andhaving an outer end portion connected with said bar structure to adjustsaid bar structure inwardly and outwardly, and a tube member rotatablycarried by each of said rods in a screwthreaded relation thereto, saidtube members each loosely bridging the space between a said post andsaid bar structure, one end of each of said tube members abutting a saidpost and the other end thereof abutting a said bar structure so thatrotation of each said tube member longitudinally adjusts the rodtherewithin, thus effecting the aforesaid outward and inward adjustmentof said bar structure.

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